Grating



June 5, 1945. BQ A. RINCE 2,377,548

ATTORNYS' Patented June 5, 1945 f N N 2,377,648

GRATING `Burton A. Prince, Westfield, Mas`s.rassignor to `Walter Edward Irving, Glenbrook, Conn.

Application May 25, 1943, Serial No. 488,327

5 Claimsjioilsl-so) a I,

'dinal sectionalview on the line 2--2 of Figure 1 I'his invention relates to improvements incontinuous grating structures for use in the `formation of bridge decks, flooring, roadways, and other grating surfaces over which foot or motor trafo is'adapted to travel. I f

One of the important featuresof the invention resides in anovel means of splicing the abutting ends of adjacent grating panels which enables the placing of the panels in their relative posi-v tions upon a bridge or other roadway to extend from curb to curb for subsequent eld riveting. Heretofore splicing bythe field riveting of grating panels upon bridges, necessitated the laying "o'f the two lines of side panels at least three feet from adjacent curbs to provide suilicient clearversely ofthe panels whenin use,I otherwisebolts and nuts would be required for the splicing of the two lines of side panels, which has proven unsatisfactory due to the timerequired in applying the bolts and nuts, and the danger of them becoming loose. Therefore, a 'furtherfeature of this in? vcntion isl to provide a butt-splice for adjacent panelsin which the handles of the rivet squeezing tools operate in a direction parallel with the curbs, thus eliminating the tedious practice required for the separate placing of the next-tocurb grating panels. i

Another feature of the inventionis the provision of a grating panel and butt-splice therefor which is strong, which may be installed for use in the field in less time than others with which I am familiar, andwhich effects a saving in rivets,

time, and labor.

A further feature of the invention resides in a grating and splice therefor which when assembled for use provides the desired continuity of the con-` tinuous grating surface which is essential for the l safe passage of the tires of motor vehicles thereover.

A still further feature ofthe invention is to provide a grating and splice therefor which per-V mits of expansion and contraction of the metal grating panels without buckling or distortion.

Other novel features of the invention will become apparent as the following `specicationis 'ance 'for the handles of the squeezing tools used in i i'ield riveting and which handlesfextend trans- `read in conjunction with the accompanying drawa ings,i n which: I

Figure 1 is a top plan view of several grating panels constructed 4and connected in accordance with my invention, portions of the panels being shown broken away.

l, Figure 2 is an enlarged detail vertical longituwith parts broken away in section.

Figure 3 is an enlargedvertical longitudinal sectional viewon the line 3-3 of Figure l.

'Figure 4 is a vertical sectional elevational view illustrating `the method `of supporting the panels with the splice joint disposed intermediate adjacent sills. I Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating the method'of upon a sill. I l i Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modied form of butt-splice between adjacent panels. v g Referring to the drawings by reference char,-

jacters, the letters A', B, C, and D (Figure 1) represent -four :like grating `panel units which are constructedand spliced together to provide a continuous gratingsurface in` accordance` with the invention-'now to be speciiically described.

Each` grating'panel unit is rectangular 'in configuration, and includes a central straight oating bar IU, outer straight side bars II-I I, and groups `of 'straight intermediate bars I2 respectively disposed between the central bar `III and the respective side bars I I--I I. The straight bars I0, I I--I I, and I2 are disposed in spaced parallel relation by intermediate crimped strips I3 which are secured to adjacent bars at all points ofcontact therewith by rivets I4, although other fas` tening means may be resorted to if desired. 'The bars and crimpedstrips are constructed of bendable metal such as iron. The straight` bars are of a greater depth than the crimped strips I3 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, but the top edgesof the bars and strips are on the sameplane,l and theV bars and strips 'coact to` form an even mesh surface for traiiicibearing purposes. I.

The opposed ends of the straight barsfII'-II and I2 are provided with angular end extensions I5, preferably lextending inwardly at right angle `tothe bars. The end extensions all extend in the direction `toward the floating bar II] and arefof lengths just short of the width of the `space be` tween adjacent bars so that theyare free of each other. By makingthe angular end extensions I5 of a length to lextend to close proximity to the adjacent; straight bar, the same,substantiallyclose the mesh at thatvpont and actas an approximate equivalent of a separate bar. The straight ,barsl are of thesame length so that `the end extensions I 5 are intransverse alinement .at the ends of the panel.` Each end extension I5 fhas a hole |`6 therein for the passage of a'fastening element presentlyztobe described.

supporting the splice jointdirectly' A constitutes one of the side rows of panels and also one of the end panels of a continuous grating surface. `Panel B .is the next panel of the outer side row and is placed endto y.end with the inner end of the panel A, with the respective adjacent angular endextensions ;I5 in Y alined abutting engagement. The rivetoperator inserts blank rivets Il through the alined I 'holes 116 and by the use of .a Yrivet :squeezing tool 1 proceeds to deform therrivets land complete :the

formation thereof. Wheniall the AYrivets lllhave been squeezed home, z-.a .-rigidlbutt Vend splice :is effected. nneld 'riveting the butt 'end lsplice rbetween-adjacen-t. panels, they squeezing-*tool irhan- .dles'loperate in :acdirection ,parallel itzothe straight bars andV curbs, which eliminates the usitalprac- :tice vof .the separatev `placing of'at'he `next-to-they.cnrb panels. Thus the ,'fsqneezing :tool ihandles operate longitudinally of the grating surface .instead .of :theformer practice ofrtransversely therecof. It willbemoted LinF-ignrel, .that the .adjacent ends of the oating bars I0-I0 between .panels ,Avanti B :are :in ispanednzelation,.ifandtthat .th-eends. of vthe connected adjE11-.cent:angl'ilar :end extensions :t5 :are :spaced tir-nm and :irse .of tlie next f adlacent rniet 'of connected vend aforesaid eaturespermitfnathe relative expansionzand contraction of the'zmetalromwhich y the vpanels are .constructed without `danger of .breaking or vldistortion of 'the :panels at their spliced ends. .The ends of the :crimped .strips .I fterminate iat vthe ,rends :of 'fthe :straight hars tin-nity zzofzthe :grating meshes `at the .spi-ced .ibutt endsxoi `the connected grating panels.

AThe eneXt 'longitudinal row of gnatingrpanels includes the fpanel units `C and D -which are placed Iadj acent ithe inner `.longitudinal sides .of the' paneliunits A andmespectively and `which have @their.endsrintransverse alinement .with the respective :ends :fthereo fIiI .'of each panel'h'asrmetal spacer members 'I8 welded thereto at the factormithere being .one adjacent `.each vemi .of vfthe panel and-.others fat suitably spaced intermediate .points ltherealong. The spacer membersgarie shown inFigure 2 xasshor'ft lengths :of inverted ang.l'e.bars,.2and as -pre- .viously statedl they .are '.shop .welded -to one'rof the panels, but'during assembly .of thepanels on a job., the 4spacer .members .are yiield welded to theznextiarljacent panel. 'In Figure/1 -the'members .j fare ishop :Welded ``to panels and `B, andai-leid Welded topane'lsvC and D. 7'I'he'lspacer members `I8 also act "to reinforce ftheadja'eent sidestof-thezpanels.along thalengththereof.

:Einaiirn'g panel vunits A and C are Ashown as the :end units fof :a @continuous grating surface, therefore iizhe free ends'lt'hereof are reinforced andfrigdly' held together by a Ametal fend bar Islwiiich :Iiatlyfy abutsithe. transversely alined'end extensions t5 of theizpanel 'units A :and C #and bridges :the j oint ibetweenzithe adj acentjcon'fronting sides of these units. .Bivetsizll .'pass'through One lof :the side bars the holes I6 in the end' extensions and through alined holes 2| provided in the end bar I9. The thickness of the end bar I9 is greater than that of the straight bars for reinforcing purposes at the free ends of a continuous grating surface. In Figure 4 of the drawings, I have illustrated two spliced grating panel units A and B as being supported upon the sills 22 of an elevated ,strncturesuch .as a bridge. ,The lsplicejoint is disposed between thejtwo relatively closely spaced sills 22. In Figure 5, however, the butt .splice between the two connected panels A and V"B rests directly upon a sill 23 which provides lakdirect support for the splice.

.In Figure 6.0i the drawings, I have shown a .slightlmodication of the butt splice, wherein a straight-.transverse bar 24 is interposed between :ad'jacent'ang'ular'end extensions I5 and secured theretoby rivets 25. 'The bar 24 acts as a stiiener for the spliced ends of the panels. In practice, the .bar 24 would :be shipped looserand 1as- ..sembledbetweenpanels Ithe'eld. While I .h-aveishown .and described what .il consider to tbe --the lpreferredembodimentof mymvention, I wish it to be understood fthatsuch changes in construction'anddesign asrcome within" thefscope loi 1 the :appended claims .may heg-ref Asorted to Aif idesifred Without departing .from 'the .1. ,A -ggrating :unit comprising .a g-plnraliltyunf I parallel-straight liars,.-a plurality. of .intermediate .crimped strips :secuned .to adjacentv straight .--loars at .allLiDointsL-of :contact therewith, and 1 free :ar-ign- 'hrend-extensionsprovided onalliofthe straight .bars except .fan "intermediate straight bar, said ,angular :end extensions facing `in a direction .toward fthe said ,intermediate straight -ba-r, .the free @ends of those fyend @extensions .adjacent the ends `lof theintermediate fstrzaight bar lacing in close spacedproxi-rnity thereto. l, .2. .Afgrtating unit-comprising.straightside" bars; a straight intermediate bar, groups `of straight hars intermediate `the intermediate bar :and @the respective side .-bars, all of. said .bars being Parallel, intermediate crimped strips between adjacent stra-ight bars land secured thereto -at Ia'l'lipoints of contact vvtherewith and forming zmeshes, Aand angular end Iextensionsprcvided yson N.the .endsrhf the .side `bars and groupsfof bars,.ieach Vangular extension being. `fof fa length Ito vrextend close proximity to the adjacent straighiscbarinorder to substantially kclose fthe mesh :at thai-.point and act fas :an approximate y `rerniiyalent loi a .separate bar, 1 and respective-ly@extending inra direction to- Ward-the.intermediateistraighthar.

3. continuous grating structure including fa pair of grating panels arranged in end toend relation,each pf the `grating pa-nelsoOmplising a-series 4of straight pana-llei-bars, :mesh-formingr-neansior v.securing A:the straight vhars in .xed spaced apart relation, .-adacent vvend-s of. `the straight bars .of .the .grating panels .being .piiovided I`with confrl'intingy abutting .angular ,end eX- tens'ions .each angular extension .being of a length to extend in close proximity .to .the ade-- jacent straight bar in .order tosubstantiallyclose the mesh at that4 point and act as `an ,approximate 'equivalent .of a separate bar, andiastening means "xed'ly f securing the respective'. .confronting end extensions together.

r`5 *4. continuous grating'structure"including a spirito-.the .invention 'asset .'-fonth the lap.-

grating panel comprising an intermediate straight bar, groups oi straight bars disposed at opposite sides of the intermediate straight bar and disposed parallel thereto, crimped strips disposed intermediate all the straight bars and fixed thereto at all points of contact therewith and cooperating therewith to form meshes, angular end extensions `provided on the opposed ends oi the groups of straight bars and extending'in a direction toward the intermediate straight bar,

each end extension being of a length to extend to close proximity to an adjacent straight bar to substantially close the mesh at that point and to act as an approximate equivalent of'a separate i n l 3 panel, and fastening means securing the end bar to the respective abutting angular end extensions.

5. A continuous grating structure including a rectangular grating panel and a companion grating panel, each comprising a series of straight parallel bars extending lengthwise of the panel, intermediate crimped strips secured to adjacent bars at all points of contact therewith and forming a mesh structure, angular end extensions provided at one of the ends of straight bars disposed at right angles thereto, each end extension being of a length to extend to close proximity to the ad t jacent straight bar in order to substantiallyk close the mesh at that point, `the grating panel and iff Vcompanion grating panel `being arranged in side by side relation With their angular end extensions in transverse alinement, an end` coupling bar fitting'against the angular end extensions of the grating panel and companion panel and bridging the jointtherebetween, and fastening means securing said end coupling bar to the respective angular end extensions.

BURTON AQ PRiNCE. 

